A former tobacco barn and an annexe with outdoor kitchen and courtyard, near good places to eat for relaxed days at the beach

A beguiling retreat for a couple or a family of four – feel cosy and secluded in a thatched cottage close to the coast

In a hamlet in the Loire countryside is a friendly estate with a family-sized gite, a shared saltwater pool and heaps of old-world charm

Come for very comfortable B&B suites with garden views in a converted 1880s barn with its own charming sitting and dining rooms

Welcome to a dreamy fortified castle, once owned by French royalty, the perfect place to stay for history lovers and comfort seekers

Stay in the grounds of a 19th-century château turned family home, where 500-year-old oak trees shade a glorious garden

An intimate cottage in deepest Cheshire, perfect for exploring Roman Chester, walking or relaxing in the garden

There's a pared-back unforced elegance to this stone barn sitting quietly in its own grounds beside a cobbled courtyard awash with roses

Elegance and ease mark this gentle group of Loire-Valley buildings, with soft-textured interiors and the owners’ fine hospitality and food

A lovely gîte with cool lines and its own shady terrace plus pool, gardens, fountain and a relaxed family-friendly feel

Come to stay in a fine old townhouse with elegant proportions, high ceilings and a rambling, English-style garden close to Mont Saint-Michel

Glorious views across Northumberland countryside from this peaceful and comfortable cottage with almost an acre of garden

A warm, inviting boutique hotel in Shrewsbury’s historic centre; potter about the medieval streets, relax in a sun-catching courtyard

An absolutely charming former cart shed, with a magnificent view of the moated château and the park, with private sauna and shared pool

A chilled, family-friendly hotel on a sandy surfing beach with huge views and a sensational pool with sustainability at its heart

This stylish little art-filled inn has comfortable rooms, is surrounded by good walking countryside and serves delicious food - rest here

Cosy Lakeland stone barn in acres of peaceful countryside for walkers, wildlife lovers and those wishing for a retreat

Two family and dog friendly retreats for lovers of the countryside, birdwatchers and those wishing to escape the crowds